ECSTATIC Tividale boss Dean Whitehouse hailed the 7-0 thrashing of Bloxwich United as the best performance of his managerial reign.

A hat-trick from Chris Russell helped high-flying Tivi extend their lead at the top of Midlands One West to six points.

The result was made all the more impressive by the fact they were missing regulars Rich Taylor, Andy Parsons and Adam Hill, while Lee Chilton was taken off injured in the first half.

Whitehouse said: “That’s the best performance in the two years I’ve been at the club.

“From start to finish we were fantastic, everything went right, even up to James Trevelan saving a penalty late on.

“Straight away we were 2-0 up.

“Don’t get me wrong, they are a good side with talented players and they had spells in the game.

“But it just shows the strength of our side that we can go in there and get a result like that.”

Whitehouse’s words are high praise indeed for a side which has now hit 60 goals in the opening 16 league games.

The manager has credited a back-to-basics approach for a run of three straight victories since a disappointing 3-0 loss at Bewdley Town earlier this month.

But he has warned the side cannot afford to relax against Darlaston Town this Saturday, while he is also still looking to strengthen by bringing in two new players.

He added: “I think after the Bewdley game the players realised other sides were not just going to roll over.

“We have worked hard and played some really good stuff on Saturday.

“We must keep pushing as six points could be wiped out in just a couple of weeks.

“I’m trying to keep everybody’s feet on the floor and talk of the title is banned from the dressing room.”

Meanwhile, Gornal Athletic lost ground after a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Wellington. They host Goodrich this weekend.

Their opponents will be fresh from a 3-1 win Dudley Sports, despite a fine strike from Adam Wright. Sports now travel to AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday while Dudley Town travel to Shawbury United.